Lawyers warn shops over ‘lads’ mags’ displays
Campaigners are warning high street retailers to remove magazines that display naked and near-naked images on their covers or face the risk of legal action under equalities legislation.
The Lose the Lads’ Mags campaign, lead by pressure groups UK Feminista and Object, says displaying publications in stores or requiring staff to handle such magazines could amount to sexual discrimination or harassment.
In a letter in the Guardian on Monday, 11 equality lawyers said there have been previous cases of staff suing employers in respect to exposure to pornographic material at work, and called on retailers to stop selling “lads’ mag” publications.
“High-street retailers are exposing staff and, in some cases, customers to publications whose handling and display may breach equality legislation,” the letter said.
“Displaying lads’ mags and pornographic papers in ‘mainstream’ shops results in the involuntary exposure of staff and, in some cases, customers to pornographic images.
“Every mainstream retailer which stocks lads’ mags is vulnerable to legal action by staff and, where those publications are visibly on display, by customers.”
@channel4news A threat to free speech and a failure for feminism. Less freedom of choice and speech.
— Chloë Rice (@ChloeMRice) May 27, 2013
@channel4news @peterould Free speech is the right to articulate ideas with impunity – it is not a right to peddle porn in public for profit
— Alistair May (@AlistairMay) May 27, 2013
@channel4news It’s a victory for lawyers in finding new ways to make money.
— Ian Spoor (@iaspo) May 27, 2013
@channel4news Neither. Misogyny kills women in UK at the rate of 2 a week. Magazines that encourage misogyny should not be openly displayed.
— Linda(@sugarloaf147) May 27, 2013
The group says it has been contacted by employees who dislike handling such magazines but who feel they have no power to take the issue up with their employers.
UK Feminista and Object are reportedly in discussions with lawyers about bringing a test case and will support employees who are uncomfortable with images of naked or near-naked women on magazines.
Lads’ mags dehumanise and objectify women Sophie Bennett, Object
Kat Banyard, founder of UK Feminista, said: “For too long supermarkets have got off the hook, stocking lad’s mags in the face of widespread opposition, but this time we have the law on our side.
“Every shop that sells lads’ mags – publications which are deeply harmful to women – are opening themselves up to legal action.”
Sophie Bennett, campaigns officer for Object, added: “Lads’ mags dehumanise and objectify women, promoting harmful attitudes that underpin discrimination and violence against women and girls.
“Reducing women to sex objects sends out an incredibly dangerous message that women are constantly sexually available and displaying these publications in everyday spaces normalises this sexism.”
Do you think lads’ mags should be banned from displaying semi-naked photos? Join the debate @Channel4News or on Facebook.
@channel4news whats the issue? If its porn keep it out of view from kids, but lads mag? It’s usually a bikini! No different from the beach?!
— Emma H (@Emmmma82) May 27, 2013
@channel4news I don’t remember free speech means the right to objectify women’s bodies, lad mags should have been banned years ago.
— Laura Baillie (@laurabaillie92) May 27, 2013
@emmmma82 @channel4news I think there’s an argument for restricting what’s on the cover, but harassment for handling a mag? Oh please…
— Alec McQuay (@VampiricChicken) May 27, 2013